Dp World to fund improved Water and Healthcare Access in Somaliland

Global trade enabler committed to UN’s Global Sustainability
Goals

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 28 September 2017: In line with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations to build a better world over the
next 15 years, DP World will provide a US$ 2 million donation to help increase water
availability and improve healthcare in Berbera following an agreement with the
Government of Somaliland.
The funding builds on DP World’s ongoing work in Somaliland where it has a 30-year
concession to develop a multi-purpose project at the Port of Berbera. The initiative
aligns with the UN’s 17 goals for sustainable development that address major issues
such as access to clean water and sanitation, ending poverty and hunger, improving
health and education, combatting climate change, and protecting our oceans and
forests. It also forms part of DP World’s “Our World, Our Future” global sustainability
programme.
As part of the project, DP World will drill four water wells in Berbera and three
outside the Sahil region to address recent water shortages and meet the increasing
demand for water following the growth of Berbera’s infrastructure and the
development of the port. The Sahil region has been affected by a devastating
drought for two years and only one in three people in Somaliland currently have
access to safe drinking water, according to the United Nations. Part of the donation
will also help finance improvements to the Berbera General Hospital and the Berbera
Mental Hospital, to ensure access to better medical facilities and reduce the need for
local residents to travel outside of the town when they require assistance.
DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “The
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals fit with our intention to work in a sustainable
and responsible way, especially our commitment to minimise impact on our
environment and to build vibrant, secure and resilient societies. This support for
Berbera is part of our commitment to help develop the areas in which we operate and
we are confident that our donation will have important benefits for many people
across the region. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Somaliland
authorities and local people to improve people’s quality of life through key
infrastructure and sustainability projects.”
Since taking over the Port of Berbera, DP World has backed a range of initiatives on
water scarcity, education and healthcare in the Sahil region. Ongoing efforts include
donating 4.5m litres of water to the drought committee in Berbera, sponsorship of 11
schools and a maritime education academy, as well as two hospitals and a clinic. To
help tackle food insecurity and famine in the area the company has also supplied
3,000 families with food provisions.

DP WORLD